title: High-pressure microfluidisation-induced changes in the antigenicity and conformation of allergen Ara h 2 purified from Chinese peanut.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peanut allergy is one of the most serious food allergies, and Ara h 2 is one of the most important peanut allergens as it is recognised by serum immunoglobulin E from more than 90% of peanut-allergic individuals. Dynamic high-pressure microfluidisation has been widely used in food processing as a new technology. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high-pressure microfluidisation on the antigenicity and structure of Ara h 2. Extracted peanut allergen Ara h 2 was treated under a continuous pressure array of 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 MPa. Immunoreactivity was measured by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with rabbit polyclonal antibodies. Secondary structure was analysed by circular dichroism. Surface hydrophobicity and sulfhydryl groups were assessed via fluorescence and UV absorption spectra respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High-pressure microfluidisation treatment decreased the antigenicity of peanut allergen Ara h 2, changed its secondary structure and increased its UV absorption intensity and surface hydrophobicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The change in conformation contributed to the decrease in antigenicity of Ara h 2, and the spatial conformation of peanut allergen Ara h 2 plays a critical role in its antigenicity.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China.
authors.forename: Chun-qiu
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Hong-bing
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jin-yan
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Chun-ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Xiao-juan
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D055516:2S Albumins, Plant / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010367:Arachis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D002681:China; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D005524:Food Technology / Q000379:methods*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D021183:Peanut Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D011312:Pressure; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D011817:Rabbits; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D013499:Surface Properties; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D055516:2S Albumins, Plant; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C500890:Ara h 2 allergen, Arachis hypogaea; D006023:Glycoproteins; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D007073:Immunoglobulin E